Paul Welder, 98, Linton, ND, died Monday, May 24, 2010 in the Linton Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2010 at St. Anthonys Catholic Church, Linton, ND with Rev. Gary Benz officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, ND where there will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour Saturday at the church before the service. Paul was born April 14, 1912, on a farm near Zeeland, ND, the son of Paul, Sr. and Catherine (Weigel) Welder. He attended country school 1/2 mile from their farm. Paul worked on the family farm until the late 1930s when he moved to the west coast. He worked for various farmers in California and Washington. Paul returned to North Dakota and worked at the State Highway Department from 1939-1942. He then returned to farming with his dad. Paul bought the first combine in the Zeeland area and did custom work for area farmers. He married Phyllis Wald on November 4, 1943 at St. Johns Catholic Church. He farmed until 1960 when he became a full time adjuster and insurance agent for Northwest GF Mutual Insurance Company, Eureka, SD. He was an adjuster for 22 years and an agent for 27 years. He also served on the Companys Board of Directors for 24 years. They moved to Linton in 1982. Phyllis died in 1984, but Paul continued to live in Linton. He moved to Bismarck in 1994, but returned to Linton in 1998. Paul enjoyed traveling to several different countries. His most memorable pilgrimages included two visits to Medjugorje, Bosnia. On his second trip at the age of 92, he was the first of his group to reach the top of the mountaintop where the Blessed Virgins said to have appeared to children. Paul was very devoted to his Catholic faith and attended mass daily. He was an Honorary Life Member of Knights of Columbus and had attained the 4th Degree level.He was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He enjoyed his daily walks and took pride in his ability to drive into his 90s. Paul is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: James and Christine Welder of Bonita Springs, FL, Raymond and Anna Welder of Crystal Lake, IL and Daniel and Genny Welder of Bismarck, ND; one daughter: Bernadette Estenson of Hastings, MN; six grandchildren: Joel (Dana) Welder, Bryan (Angela) Welder, Patrick (Amy) Estenson, Nicole (Chris) Key, Lynette (Dean) Peterson and Erica (Quentin) Batjer; thirteen great grandchildren; one sister: Rose Gabriel of Bismarck, ND and Special Friend, Ann Bosch of Linton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Phyllis in 1984, seven brothers, six sisters and his son-in-law: Lionel Estenson.